‘He’s more popular’: Medvedev defends Putin’s latest presidential bid

Gallery: Putin and Medvedev together at work and at play.

Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev and Aldo the golden retriever in Sochi, Russia in August 2009.

Image: Dmitry Astakhov/AP/Press Association Images

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Dmitry Medvedev defended his decision not to seek a second term in an interview broadcast today, saying that the nation likes Vladimir Putin more.

Medvedev told Russian television stations that he and Putin share the same goals, but acknowledged that Putin has broader public support. “Putin undoubtedly is the most authoritative politician in our country, and his ratings are higher,” he said.

Medvedev and Putin, who is now prime minister, announced over the weekend that they would swap places. Putin stepped down in 2008 after eight years as president due to a term limit, but he has continued to call the shots and is certain to win March’s presidential election.

While state-controlled national TV have given ample coverage to both leaders, Putin has been far more astute in using television to cultivate his image as Russia’s most powerful person, riding a horse bare-chested through the mountains, swimming the butterfly stroke in a Siberian river and driving motorcycles. The IPad-toting and Tweeting Medvedev looks boyish compared to his steely-eyed mentor.

Champagne night out

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, left, and Medvedev's wife Svetlana at a presentation ceremony of state awards in the Kremlin in Moscow on June 12, 2011, marking the Day of Russia, a national holiday. (Alexei Nikolsky/AP/Press Association Images)

Anyone for badminton?

Medvedev and Putin prepare to play badminton in June 2011. (Dmitry Astakhov/AP/Press Association Images)

A nice walk on the beach

Medvedev and Putin walk at the Bocharov Ruchei presidential residence at the Black Sea resort of Sochi in August 2009. (Dmitry Astakhov/AP/Press Association Images)

Race you to the bottom!

Medvedev and Putin skiing during a trip to the Rosa Khutor ski resort in Krasnaya Polyana in February 2011. (Alexei Druzhinin/AP/Press Association Images)

Celebrating Victory Day

Last weekend, Putin’s United Russia party approved his proposal that Medvedev heads the party list for December’s parliamentary elections and become prime minister after the election.

Russia’s opposition has denounced the planned swap as a show of contempt for democracy.

Putin is eligible to serve another 12 years because the presidential term will be extended from four to six years, which would make him the longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Liberal politicians and commentators pointed at steady erosion of Russia’s post-Soviet democratic achievements under Putin’s rule and warned that his return to presidency would likely set the stage for further crackdowns on freedoms.

Critics described Putin’s statement that he and Medvedev had decided between them years ago which job they would take as evidence of their disdain for democratic procedures. They said it also revealed Medvedev’s role as mere placeholder for his mentor.

Medvedev sought to counter such criticism by saying that the final choice will be made by voters. Many Kremlin critics have said that Putin has turned the elections in Russia into farce by adopting laws that that bar radical opposition from the ballot. The opposition has cited ample evidence of vote manipulations during the past elections.

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